Thomas Coville / Sodebo

For the third time, the Sodebo team is attempting to claim the prestigious Jules Verne Trophy, the ultimate crewed, non-stop sailing challenge around the world. Onboard the trimaran Sodebo Ultim 3, Thomas Coville and his crew set off on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 21:01:05 (French time), with a clear goal: to break the current record and complete their circumnavigation in less than 40 days, 23 hours, 31 minutes, and 35 seconds.

A Thunderous Start and a First Record

From the very first hours of the race, Sodebo Ultim 3 demonstrated its determination by smashing the reference time between Ouessant and the Equator: 4 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes, and 25 seconds. This performance confirmed the competitiveness of both the trimaran and its crew—Thomas Coville, Frédéric Denis, Pierre Leboucher, Léonard Legrand, Guillaume Pirouelle, Benjamin Schwartz, and Nicolas Troussel.

The South Atlantic: A Strategic Detour

The crossing of the South Atlantic proved more challenging than expected. The St. Helena High, positioned unfavorably, forced the crew to take a route far to the west, significantly lengthening their journey. “It was really a huge detour all the way to Brazil before we could finally turn left,” explained Thomas Coville. “Even though it added a lot of distance, we maintained a strong pace, averaging 35 to 40 knots.”

Despite this detour, Sodebo Ultim 3 set a new record between Ouessant and the Cape of Good Hope: 10 days, 23 hours, 55 minutes, and 52 seconds.

The Southern Seas and a Series of Records

Passing the Cape of Good Hope marked the crew’s entry into the Southern Seas, known for their extreme conditions. On January 1, 2026, the team gave sailing enthusiasts a New Year’s gift by breaking the Ouessant–Cape Leeuwin record: 17 days, 1 hour, and 17 minutes, improving on the previous mark held by IDEC Sport since 2017 by 5 hours and 41 minutes.

Cape Horn and the Atlantic Ascent

On January 11, 2026, Sodebo Ultim 3 rounded the legendary Cape Horn, still ahead of the Jules Verne Trophy reference time. The crew also claimed the Pacific crossing record before beginning the Atlantic ascent—the final stretch toward victory.

Follow the Adventure Live

To track Sodebo Ultim 3’s progress and experience this extraordinary adventure in real time, click here.